Signing Cousins would require contract creativity and cap contortions from the Cardinals, but it can be done, according to two contract experts.

Beginning Monday, teams can officially negotiate with the representatives for players, and Wednesday is the first day contracts can be signed.

“The tough thing for me here is gauging whether or not the Cards would break from their norms with the deal,” said Jason Fitzgerald of overthecap.com. “Typically, they usually limit their signing bonuses to $16 million or less.”

Cousins likely will get far more than that, which makes a standard three-year contract unworkable.

For cap purposes, signing bonuses are prorated over the length of the contract: the longer the deal, the less money a signing bonus costs each year. For instance, a $50 million signing bonus on a five-year deal would count $10 million a year to the cap. Spread over just three, it would be close to $17 million.

A five-year deal, with the final two years voidable, would work, and the Cardinals have done that before in extending the contracts of Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer.

“You probably would have to have almost a minimum base salary and have the signing bonus make up the bulk of his compensation this year,” said Joel Corry, a former agent who writes for cbssports.com.

The $90 million or so Cousins reportedly is seeking isn’t out line with the current quarterback market. Last August, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford signed a deal that guaranteed him $92 million overall, including $60.5 million at signing, and pays him $87 million over the first three years.

Last month, 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo signed a deal that guaranteed him $74.1 million overall, including $47.7 million at signing, and pays him $86.4 million over three years.

“Even if you released those three it would bring them only to $38 million in room, which would be just enough to sign him (Cousins) but do nothing else,” Jason Fitzgerald said.

To sign Cousins and have enough space to address other needs, the Cardinals likely would have to release Veldheer, Iupati, running back Adrian Peterson – and designate Mathieu as a post-June 1 release, Fitzgerald said. Doing that with Mathieu would free $11 million of space on June 2.

The team could gain additional cap room by restructuring the contract of outside linebacker Chandler Jones and extending linebacker Deone Bucannon’s contract.

“If they did that, they would spend pretty much all $45 million on Cousins and others, and then use that $11 million (on June 2) on rookies and as a safety net for in-season moves,” Fitzgerald said.

But would it be enough to address the team’s other needs?

“You could use another receiver,” Corry said. “Your offensive line kind of sucks. You could pick up significant cap room if you want to start over, but that makes that less attractive to Cousins because, who is blocking for you?”

Trading Mathieu would be difficult because $18.75 million of his contract is guaranteed if he’s on the roster on Wednesday, the first day of the league year.

“No one wants to take that on,” Corry said.

Without revealing details, Cardinals coach Steve Wilks said last week the team has a plan in place for free agency.

At quarterback, that plan includes several options, including pursuing Cousins. The Broncos, Jets and Vikings also are reportedly among the teams interested.

The Vikings' cast-offs: Teddy Bridgewater |He’s missed most of the past two seasons because of a major knee injury, but was 11-5 as a starter in 2015. Plus, heis only 25. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The 'in your dreams' guys': Kirk Cousins | He’s played the past two seasons under the franchise tag, and Washington would have to pay crazy money ($34.5 million) to do that again. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Trading places: Tyrod Taylor | The Bills benched him at midseason, a clear signal of what they think of Taylor’s future. He is due a $6 million bonus if he’s on the roster on March 17. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Trading places: Eli Manning | He has a no-trade clause and is due a $5 million roster bonus on the third day of the league year. Manning conceivably could decline a trade, force the Giants to cut him. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Building bridges: Josh McCown | He started his career here and it would be a cool story if he ended it here. McCown turns 39 in July and proved with the Jets this season that he can still play. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Building bridges: Ryan Fitzpatrick | This would be a return home, too. Fitzpatrick played at Gilbert Highland High. He’s 35 and played in a variety of systems, which would be helpful. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports